WELCOME

With the assumption that by now you're ready to send your e-mail marketing/season's greetings, here is a tip to add one last attention grabber:

In addition to the ideas mentioned in "Ho-Ho-Hone Your E-Mail Marketing" below, the subject line can make or break your efforts, both at this time of year and always. I have been noticing lately what e-mails I open and what gets checked for deletion.

The subject line always gets read and, if interesting or important or of value to me, it will be opened. Of course, spam shouldn't be opened at all. But if you have done business with the sender and the subject line says anything that begins with "Last Chance,""Act Now,""Introducing," "Free," "Save," "Enjoy." You get the idea.

Always use a catchy subject line. And maybe an expiration date so they act fast. So, "Act Now to Add Your Special Message to Your E-mail Marketing."

Libby Beatty, Chair
MBA Board of Directors

NEWSWORTHY

New IRS Procedure Yields Tax Savings

A new IRS procedure allows all businesses (and taxpayers with business losses) to carry back losses in 2008 or 2009 for up to five years. Before this legislation was passed businesses were only allowed carry back net operating losses for two years, but as part of the legislation extending unemployment benefits, congress is allowing businesses to apply net operating losses against taxes paid on profits made in the last five years.

The net operating loss from five years ago can only offset as much as 50 percent of the income from that year. This does not apply to losses from three and four years ago.

Eligibility for this tax refund is also applicable to any taxpayer with business losses, except those that received payments under the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Check out the specifics of the new revenue procedure guidelines here.

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MARKETING

Ho-Ho-Hone Your Holiday Communications

A good holiday e-mail marketing campaign is like the sleigh that carries presents. Without it no one gets what you have to offer. Here's how to make the most of the room in your sleigh:

Jingle Sells, Jingle Sells: First and foremost, your e-mails should be promoting holiday sales and special offers. Be sure to promote holiday attention grabbers like gift cards/certificates, free shipping and gift wrap.

Invites & Info: E-mails are also convenient for announcing holiday hours, sending invites for parties, and publicizing your participation with charitable organizations. Tip: By including a link to the website of charities that you support, you could request a link from their site in return.

Santa's Helpers: Ask your recipients to help you spread the seasonal cheer by asking them to forward your sales and promotional announcements to friends and associates. You can offer an extra Santa's Helper discount for their efforts.

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YOUR FINANCES

Write-Off Gifts for Holiday Deductions

Did you know that you can deduct up to $25 in business gifts from your taxable income? It may not sound like much but the value beyond the $25 is that you were able to strengthen a connection between you and a good client. Here are the guidelines:

There's no limit on how many gifts you give, but husbands and wives are treated as a single taxpayer so that only $25 can be deducted between spouses.

Entertainment gifts like tickets to shows and sporting events are treated differently depending on whether you attend the event with the recipient. If you go, it qualifies as a business/entertainment expense and you can deduct only 50 percent of the cost. If you give the tickets and don't go, you should probably treat it as a gift if it's less than $50.

Gifts to employees may qualify as sales incentives, meaning the entire cost is deductible, so be sure to think about how you classify office gifts.

Of course, you should first visit the IRS guidelines regarding gift giving and speak with your accountant to learn the particulars about your situation.

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FOR THE HOME-BASED BIZ

Going Green at Home Can Help Make a Big Impact

These days a major selling point for online consumers is to buy from "green" companies. The following tips will help your home-based business save money and create a new marketing campaign that highlights efforts to utilize sustainable practices:

Computer: Be sure to turn off your hard drive and computer monitor at night. You can cut back on printing supplies by sending invoices, faxes and marketing literature via e-mail. If you can access a scanner, you can transfer hard copies to PDFs to store and send as needed, reducing paper waste.

Recycle: Recycle as many of your office supplies as possible. If it's cost-effective, use recycled materials too. Try insightful websites like earth911 to help you develop an office recycling plan.

Green Decisions: Give your customers the option of receiving bills and announcements electronically. This makes them an active participant in doing their part for the environment. You can also choose to use environmentally-conscious vendors.

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Grooming Your Intrapreneurs

An "intrapreneur" is an employee that displays the enthusiasm and the ability to share the challenges and responsibilities of being an entrepreneur. A properly-groomed intrapreneur can help boost sales, cultivate customer service and help reduce operating costs.

Indentify & Direct: Your prime candidates display qualities like accountability, perseverance, risk-taking tendencies and an eagerness to get results. Use some one-on-one time to show them how their unique abilities can help them perform new roles in the success of your business.

Encourage: This means lending guidance and advice without demanding they take a specific approach. Support their natural talents and creativity by encouraging them to produce and share their ideas openly with you.

Leeway & Pay: Give them space and the freedom to think and act freely, without looking over their shoulder. Aside from creative freedom, extra incentives can come in the form of bonuses, promotions, titles and profit-sharing.

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IT

Bluetooth Holiday Hooligans - Avoided

Bluetooth-enabled devices represent easy targets for cutting-edge hackers. This holiday season, and all year through, protect yourself from the Grinches of the tech-world by keeping your Bluetooth turned on only when you need it.

Did you know…"Bluejacking" is when hackers send unauthorized messages to your phone and "Bluesnarfing" lets hackers steal data from you.

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MEMBER NEWS

MBA member Accessible Home Health Care of Montgomery County is celebrating its two-year anniversary by providing caregivers with CPR training. Accessible Home Health Care provides high quality care to all age groups, from newborns to seniors, in the comfort of their own homes. For more information about the company, call owner Jane Butler at (610) 649-0321.

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NEW MEMBERS

When our member base increases there is more of everything: more creative networking, more benefits and more experienced, enthusiastic business owners. All move our members toward growth, success and the entrepreneurial spirit.

Click here to meet our newest small business partners.

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Unless specifically indicated, MBA does not intend mention of companies, products or services discussed in this publication to be construed to be endorsements. The information in this publication is offered as examples that may be useful to our small business readers. Please consult with an industry professional before implementing any of the tips or subscribing to any of the services described above.